From films that expose the truth of the factory farm industry to music and poetry that move us to action, art is an integral part of social change. This year, we celebrated art and the community and change it inspires at our annual benefit to protect the planet, Against All Odds: Illustrating Activism. 

As Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter said, “We know that whatever the issue, we come together to create the political power we need for change. And one of the things that draws us together is art.”

In May, our Against All Odds virtual program was more than three hours chock-full of inspiration, connection, and creativity. Read some of the highlights and watch the full program below!

The Power of a Poster with Food & Water Watch

Here at Food & Water Watch, we’re focused on two things: building power — getting more people involved — and showing power — demonstrating to decision makers that a critical mass of people want them to make a certain decision. The visuals of a protest, rally, or other action are key to both of these goals, as Food & Water Watch organizers Thomas Meyer and Michaelyn Mankel explained.

Protest art can take many different forms. It can be banners, signs, or posters. It can be literature, music, or theatre. And compelling visuals don’t just inspire people at the protest — they can also attract media attention that spreads our message even wider. 

Michaelyn shared a photo of a massive chalk mural that she helped orchestrate at the Treaty Peoples gathering, a huge day of resistance against the Line 3 Pipeline in Northern Minnesota. Michaelyn told us,

“I think this is one of my proudest moments as an organizer. It demonstrates that while we don’t have the budget to compete with our opposition to buy up billboards or advertising space, we can use creativity to amplify our message, to reach new people, and to bring more people into the fight.”

At the same time, art is an important tool for community building. Thomas talked about the art builds that brought hundreds of people together to create signs and banners for the March to End Fossil Fuels. These events didn’t only produce unified and compelling visuals for the march — they also created opportunities for people to be a part of the movement in a more hands-on and creative way. 

Centering Music in the Movement for Clean Water With Britton Smith

At our virtual and in-person Against All Odds events, we welcomed Britton Smith of the funk band Britton & The Sting, who uses his musical performances to center art in the movement for clean water. 

Britton first became interested in water issues while writing a theatrical show that would become his 2025 concept album, Return to Mama. “In doing my research, I remembered that everything living on this planet is only alive because of water,” Britton told us. “If we treat the water with the reverence of our mother, she’ll be nicer to us.”

Since then, he’s connected with water activists and organizations across the country, including Food & Water Watch. Britton partnered with us for a 2025 World Water Day Concert in New York City, and he’s currently preparing to go on tour with Return to Mama in six U.S. cities most vulnerable to water scarcity.

His music has helped inspire people to reframe their relationship to water and to come together in reverence and action. “When you put movement work in the music,” he said, “People are more likely to be moved, to be transformed, to be included. There’s already a pathway in people’s hearts for music.”

Watch the Full Virtual Event, Against All Odds: Illustrating Activism!

From poetry to music, from painting to dance, art helps us connect with nature and each other. It has the power to strengthen us and teach us; to spark imagination and action to protect what we hold most dear. 

Click on the link below to watch the full virtual program and:

• Listen to a book talk with Food & Water Watch board chair and award-winning water activist Maude Barlow on her newest book, Earth for Sale: The Fight to Stop the Last Plunder of the Planet;
• Hear a poetry reading from the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limòn:
• Learn more poster-making tips from Michaelyn and Thomas that you can bring to your next action or art build:
• Hear more about music, activism, and our connection to water from Britton Smith, lead singer of Britton & The Sting;
• Learn about our benefit honorees: documentary filmmaker Matt Wechsler, artist and curator Fredericka Foster, and handweaver Susan Weltman; and
• Watch interviews with environmental filmmakers Angie Chay-Arana, Summit Olson, and 2026 Honoree Matt Wechsler!